Popular Assembly in Porto decides not to stay overnight in Praça D. João I

Aabout 200 people who participated today in the popular assembly in Porto decided that “as a movement”, they will not continue tonight in Praça D. João I, promising to return on Saturday.

“ The vote is indicative, non-binding, each has its individual freedom. As a movement we will not spend efforts to assemble the resistance and permanence tonight ", announced one of the members of the movement camped Porto, Sérgio Bastos.

The popular assembly, which still took place at 22:40, also discussed whether or not to meet with the mayor of Porto, Pedro Duarte, at the Rivoli Theatre, but no proposals were put to the vote in this direction, or otherwise.

“ The deliberations are taken here, in the square, are not taken in cabinets or by separate movements”, it was heard in the open microphone that is already part of the scenario of these assemblies.

Among the slogans, there was a consensus: “The people command and the rulers obey,” a phrase that was repeated and applauded.

It was also heard: “[This] is a dialogue, we need to speak, but we also need to listen” and “don’t take it to wear because it won’t be possible for him [chamber president] to come here”.

To the microphone, representatives of the movement that coordinates the work also explained what to do in case of police intervention, how to act in case of arrest and “how to resist”, but peacefully.

While the assembly was taking place, by D. João Square I some gifts danced and children ran: “We have taken advantage of these moments to show our children what Democracy is. Discuss, vote and accept the result ", explained to Lusa Manuel, who took the two children, 4 and 7 years old to Praça D. João I.

On a night that began to be cold, the social canteen continued to feed the stomach and warm the conversations: “We will stay here, even without overnight, while we have food,” others said.

“There will always be someone who stays in this square”, they assured.

On Saturday, at 4:00 p.m., a new demonstration is scheduled starting in Batalha Square and will travel the streets of the city to D. João I Square.

The protesters demand the reversal of the new rental law, the end of demolitions and evictions without an alternative housing, a stop to the purchase of housing by real estate funds, the increase in public housing, the recovery of vacant buildings for housing purposes and ceilings “truely accessible” to income.

Last week, PSP dispersed to the batonada and using dogs the demonstrations for the right to housing in Lisbon and Porto, after more than two hours of tension and orders for people to leave and tents to be removed.

The protests for the right to housing began on October 10 in Praça D. João I, in Porto, and in Lisbon on October 17 in Praça de D. Pedro IV, with tension with the police that does not allow the tents to stay overnight in these squares.

The first police charge took place in Porto on October 15.